Watching the US Inauguration

Anniebach

I was reminded of the hopes when JFK was inaugurated

Anniebach I thought that too and both of them Catholic Presidents too. It also crossed my mind how popular JFK was and also other Democratic Presidents such as Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton and Obama. It’s a mystery to me why all of a sudden Democrats are portrayed in such a bad light. I saw two men with tee shirts saying ‘I’d rather be Russian than a Democrat’, they really have no idea about the plight of people like Alexei Navalny who are brave enough to have a view that opposes Putin’s.

I thought Lady Gaga was totally amazing and so was the Amanda Gorman poem. Better times ahead!

I watched it too. First reaction was thank God the Trumps had gone and secondly that they didn’t attend. Why did a quite solemn occasion then turn into a Broadway act with the gaga woman appearing dressed like an Austrian widow Twanky? Why was there so much mask slipping, hugging and general ‘contact’ between all the attendees despite their seats being appropriately separated. I noted that the dais was swabbed between some, but not all, speakers (who removed their masks). Look out for a possible US political Covid outbreak!
Here’s to a better future for the US and the rest of the World after the nightmare of the last 4 years.

Will America ever be truly one country when they continue to announce individuals as not only the first woman to achieve this position but also the first woman of colour or the first Latino? Seems they are still a divided country.

Wonderful to see, and wonderful to know Mr.Trump is no longer in power.
Congratulations to President Biden and Vice President Harris, they are a good team and will get America back on its feet.

Congratulations to president Biden and his team,what a wonderful day for the American people.God bless America.

Good to hear that Dr Biden is carrying on working - I always thought that Michelle Obama must have been very bored as First Lady.

Loved every minute of it.

I have rarely watched anything to do with American politics as I find it a farcical circus. But I did have to watch Joe Biden's inauguration if only to make sure that Trump was actually gone.

Lexisgranny

I did notice that despite the masks (most of which seemed to be slipping) and occasional fist and elbow bumps, there were a lot of people shaking hands and hugging, and despite the spaces between seats, gathering together in huddles. I do hope the memory of this ceremony will not be marred by covid cases.

So do I, very little social distancing when greeting one another. The hugging wasn’t very clever.

Just glad it’s over glad he’s safely in glad there was no further outrage. A lot of work to do. I thought Hillary was great and gracious she is the one who took the most flak when she stood against Trump. Anyone in their right mind should have stopped that man progressing after his behaviour. The distraction of Bernie Saunders appealing to the left who took no notice of Trump in their destruction of Hillary Clinton. She was Obama’s Secretary of State as Biden was his deputy now they are back in power but the undercurrents are still there. And if Trump did anything he made that very apparent. Well mannered well educated lucky people are back in charge but no one should be sitting on their laurels. But we can breathe again after that taste of entitled ignorance and yet Trump gave hope to do many who felt they were on the wrong side. They understood him. They didn’t feel patronised.
The big relief was when Biden won and that the inauguration has gone through without further bloodshed. I find public displays of over sentimentality dangerous and uncomfortable. But that’s just me. I just remember Gaga in a meat dress. All a bit over the top.

I found the swearing in quite moving, especially Kamala Harris, such a significant moment. Lady Gaga looked amazing as did Michelle Obama, and I loved the sparkle in the new First Lady's coat. Brilliant to see Trump disappearing into the sunset, or for how long who knows. Let's hope this heralds better times for America.

I thought it was wonderful, especially the young poet, Amanda Gorman.
One thing though, did anyone else want to shout "Nooooo!" at the end when they were all hugging?

“Why did a quite solemn occasion then turn into a Broadway act?”

Precisely, Marmight. No sense of what is appropriate.

To all the Americans on Gransnet I just want to wish you well. I hope that Biden's pretty "middle-of-the-road" approach will allow the wounds of the last years to heal a little. I know the climate change issue is difficult in the USA, likewise abortion and immigration but I'm hoping his conciliatory manner and his deep understanding of the divisions will allow him and his team to be generous towards his opponents.

What I do believe is that he is a Christian and lives his faith so I hope that this will win round some of those who are Trump supporters.

I don't expect the healing to happen in just four years, but if he only succeeded in damping down the hatred and pain, surely that is extremely valuable at this really divided time.

With good will and a fair wind, I hope he can work with the states to get more control of the virus and thus save lives.

What a mess he is inheriting.
I wish him luck.

I’m very worried. I wasn’t a Trump fan but at least you could see everything - what you saw was what you got, whereas with Biden it’s hidden. He is a lefty, woke, virtue signalling man with a very dodgy background.....
He is an IRA sympathiser who with Obama bombed 7 different countries!!! His speech was a load of waffle which everyone wanted to hear but meant nothing. He was very quick to condemn (quite rightly) the storming of the Capitol, but no condemnation of the Antifa rioting and looting. Dangerous man.

Marmight, I loved Lady Gaga's dress, I thought it brought some joy and festivity to the procedings. And as for the covid thing, I'm pretty sure all those people would have got a covid test before being allowed there? and Kestrel if you had read 'Becoming' by Michelle Obama you would have seen that she was really busy as first lady.

Such a strong female presence too - from Kamala, to the Fire Chief who recited the pledge of allegiance, Amanda Gorman (wasn't she fab) and Lady Gaga who I thought was also fab (even her last note!)
The normality of the occasion shone through too - and the sense of family which reminded me of the Obamas.
However - under the circumstances, there were too many people, too close together and with far too much hugging going on! I hope there are no repercussions!

The young Poet Laureate was just amazing- I watched and listened in awe and thought, how does anyone come up with those words and speak them like that. So impressive.

Star of the show for me was Amanda Gorman - beautiful girl - very powerful, moving poem

Still reall shocks me that anyone wanting to be President has to be born in the USA. Think about the UK- how many politicians do we have who were not born in UK. If you grow up in the country and are educated there, well integrated- why should you not be able to take full part in society, including politics. And even more so about religion- can you imagine if in the UK you had to be CofE to become an MP or Prime Minister. This is so wrong- but probably for another thread.

I found it so moving.... I have family and friends in the USA. I am so happy for them

I think lack of hats is because it's difficult to get your mask on & off whilst wearing a hat.

It was emotional. Good changes ahead and thank goodness Trump has gone, complete with his ignorant, appalling attitude. I hope he is banned from ever running again. Biden has his work cut out, but what a team. I like Kamala Harris too.

Deedaa, link to Pte Seeger & Bruce Springsteen version of This Land is Your Land from Obama inauguration, so joyful.
Anniebach, There are an awful lot of fake news and conspiracy theories shared by Qanon and other sites spreading lies, there was a lot of coverage on Channel 4, absolutely ghastly what Trump supporters believe, honestly believe
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnvCPQqQWds&feature=share&fbclid=IwAR2mrRxTZOthQKuy6RI80wBx4YE-fFRuTce6EYQ6gJpR7hvjSS9ejgvhwqU